ABOUT A2RL
Summit 2.0
The A2RL Summit 2.0 is a premier global conference dedicated to advancing autonomous technology and AI-driven mobility. Hosted in Abu Dhabi, a city at the forefront of technological innovation, the summit reflects the emirate’s vision to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and smart transportation solutions.
Building on the success of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), the summit serves as a platform for meaningful dialogue, fostering partnerships and exploring cutting-edge research and real-world applications in AI, robotics, and sustainable mobility.
The A2RL Summit 2.0 will feature workshops and discussions that delve into the convergence of AI, robotics, autonomy, gaming, extreme sports, and smart mobility — exploring how these fields intersect within the UAE's dynamic technological landscape. The sessions will highlight the role of competition initiatives and educational programs in accelerating research and nurturing startups, effectively bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Further, the summit will outline strategic actions to amplify the impact of AI and robotics, attract top talent, and showcase investment opportunities in emerging tech ventures. It aims to establish a sustainable cycle from education to entrepreneurship and industrial innovation — reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a hub for technological excellence and future mobility solutions.
A2RL Summit 2.0 - Building the Motorvalley of AI & Robotics
Aspire aims to bring together experts and enthusiasts from academia, autonomous driving entities, government entities and policy regulators for a new round of discussions and networking to explore the intersection of autonomy mobility, AI, Autonomous driving, gaming and extreme sports
| Time | Talk | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Welcome and Refreshments | |
| 9:00 - 9:10 | Welcome Speech | Stephane Timpano - CEO of A2RL and ASPIRE |
| 9:10 - 9:50 |
Panel 1 – Motorsport as the |
Lawrence Walter – CEO of Code19 Khurram Hassan – Commercial |
| 9:50 - 10:10 | Keynote 1 – AI Sports Sony AI shares insights into how artificial intelligence is enhancing performance, fan engagement, and the evolution of competitive gaming and robotics-driven sports. |
Michael Spranger – President of Sony AI |
| 10:10 - 10:50 |
Panel 2 – The Future of Mobility This panel will discuss breakthroughs in autonomous vehicles, infrastructure innovation, and how cities are preparing for future on-demand and personalized mobility. |
Rashed Al Mothadi – Marketing & Comms Director - Kintsugi Prof. Ian F. Akyildiz - President |
| 10:50 - 11:20 | Coffee break |
|
| 11:20 - 12:00 |
Panel 3 – Make it in the Emirates This panel will explore what it takes to build, scale, and thrive in the Emirates, touching on funding, regulatory frameworks, and emerging opportunities in autonomy and robotics. |
Michael Sonderby – Acting CEO of SteerAI Prof. Giuseppe Loianno - |
| 12:00 - 12:20 | Keynote 2 – UNICEF This keynote examines how UNICEF is leveraging technology for humanitarian causes, from education to disaster response, ensuring ethical and inclusive innovation. |
Dr. Michael Scheibenreif – UNICEF |
| 12:20 - 12:55 |
Panel 4 – Gaming for Innovation Experts in esports, drone racing, and gaming AI discuss how competition-driven development based on gaming and AI is fueling breakthroughs in autonomy, training models, and real-world applications enabling direct transition from simulation to reality. |
Alex Lena – Co-Owner of DCL Alessandro Tucci - Founder |
| 12:55 - 1:00 | Conclusion This closing keynote will outline the next phases of development, upcoming challenges, and how the initiative will further shape the global AI and robotics landscape. |
Stephane Timpano – CEO of A2RL and ASPIRE |
| 1:00 - 5:30 | Lunch, Prayer and Semi Finals of A2RL X DCL | |
Speakers
